On the Menu Monday (MPM) - Week 2

Oh we had a quiet weekend around here. It has been bitterly cold all weekend. We stayed in for most of it, but we did get out and run some errands and got those out of the way before it got really cold today. I think the high yesterday was -10 with a windchill of about -25 and today is supposed to be a lot worse. The governor closed all public schools in the state for today due to the scary temperatures. The boy and I are both working from home today.  We had friends for dinner Saturday and had some delicious wine with it. I found a new favorite that is absolutely delicious. I love finding those hidden gems. Dinner was beef stew over mashed potatoes and a spinach salad with pomegranates, gorgonzola, an spiced pecans.  The appetizer was delicious as well, and I got to use my new cast iron skillet that the boy bought me for Christmas. Fresh baked rolls with jalapeno artichoke dip baked into it, num!

We don't have a ton of plans this week, waiting to see if it is going to warm up some. We didn't make it out to the movies this past weekend, so maybe we will get a couple of movies in this week. We did catch up on some of our shows, Revenge and also were riveted last night with the season premier of Downton Abbey (as were all of our friends, neighbors and family members). We woke up to -24 temperatures with windchills of -45, so needless to say, we will be staying in and trying to stay warm!

Monday Plans - HOME! Too cold to think about going anywhere! I need to get the laundry done! Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit, yogurt, spinach salad Dinner - The boy is going to make a beef and vegetable soup, sounds good to me! Tuesday Plans - Probably still home until this deep freeze ends.  Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit, Cottage Cheese, leftovers Dinner - Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas (I have been craving Mexican lately) and black beans Wednesday Plans - No plans Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit, yogurt, salad Dinner - Out - Hazellewood Grill and Tap Room Thursday Plans - Movie night Breakfast and Lunch - Fruit cottage cheese, leftovers Dinner - One Pot Blackberry Glazed Salmon over Asparagus (this was SOOOOO good - recipe to follow Friday Plans - Out maybe, depends on weather of course, I am such a wimp! Breakfast and Lunch - fruit, yogurt, leftovers Dinner - Out maybe? We are meeting friends out at Three Crows. I can't wait to try this place, they have live music and a date night menu for two that comes with two salads, two entrees a shared dessert and a bottle of wine for $40.  Saturday Plans - Errands, I should have had my nails and toes done this past weekend, maybe lunch out - Mani and Pedi with sister J. Breakfast and Lunch -out with sister J for lunch  Dinner - Friends T & J and neighbors B & P for dinner. Putting together the menu at the moment, but I am thinking it is going to be an Italian theme of some sort since we are going back on the 17 day diet strict on Monday! I wound up making braised lamb shanks over polenta and a couple of awesome appetizers! Sunday Plans - I am hosting a Pampered Chef and Steeped Tea party - Brunch! Brunch - Mushroom and Feta Breakfast Casserole Dinner - I might need to update this towards the end of the week! We went looking for a new ottoman/coffee table, and decided to grab a last dinner out before we go back onto the 17 day diet Monday. We went to the new Sunshine Factory, very good, really enjoyed it.
For more meal plans and links to recipes, check out the orgjunkie.